# Scan a space with a standard camera

Standard camera video is a fast way to scan a space with a phone, action camera, or pinhole camera. The goal is not to make a polished walk-through video; it is to give the mapping system a continuous sequence of sharp, overlapping views.

[![One solid operator moves slowly along a yellow path while two translucent echoes show later positions; multiple tightly overlapping 3D camera frustums represent a continuous sweep toward different directions and are naturally occluded by the foreground operator; the lower-right diagram highlights the large area that neighboring views must share](/media/docs/standard-camera-video-capture-hero-v10.jpg)](/media/docs/standard-camera-video-capture-hero-v10.jpg)

*The solid operator is the current position; the two teal echoes are representative positions reached while continuing along the yellow route. The tightly overlapping 3D frustums are representative views sampled from one continuous sweep, not a prescribed set of directions or a fixed number of shots. Move slowly along the route, rotate the camera slowly toward multiple directions, and repeat this motion throughout the capture. The highlighted region at the lower right represents a mandatory **50%–70%** overlap between neighboring views; target **70%** while recording.*

> **The correct motion combines slow forward movement, a slow sweep toward multiple directions, and persistent overlap.** Do not keep the phone pointed only straight ahead, and do not stand still while quickly turning through a full circle. As you walk, use one smooth, continuous motion to cover the area ahead, both sides, and any necessary higher or lower surfaces. The exact directions and count are not fixed; what matters is that you never jump past the intermediate views.

**Both walking and camera rotation must be slow.** If doorway edges, sign text, or surface texture shows visible motion blur, reduce the walking or rotation speed immediately. As the camera reveals a new area, the current view must retain **50%–70%** of the preceding view; target **70%** while recording. If a continuous section falls clearly below 50%, return to that position and capture it again. Fixed details such as doorway corners, picture-frame corners, signs, and tile intersections should preferably appear in at least three nearby but non-identical views.

## When to use this path

Upload one continuous standard-camera video. Do not use this path for 360° video, a Polycam or KIRI Engine project, or a LiDAR scan package; each has its own input path.

## Prepare before recording

- Clean the lens and disable digital zoom that changes the field of view during capture.
- Use enough light to maintain sharp and stable exposure.
- Plan one continuous route through every area that must support localization or spatial content.
- Choose one spatial-reference method before scanning: place 01Spatial Reference Boards, or prepare surveyed GCPs (**Ground Control Points**) for Map Configurator. Despite the name, a GCP can be a doorway, wall, or fixed structural corner rather than a point on the floor. Prepare Tie Points where doors or turns have limited shared views.

## Plan the route

Move continuously from the entrance and slow down at corners, doors, corridor junctions, and room transitions. Revisit important areas from another direction so the mapping system can form reliable loops.

Prioritize stable visual detail such as wall texture, door frames, columns, signage, and fixed fixtures. Avoid filling the frame for long periods with blank walls, glass, reflective surfaces, floors, or moving crowds.

## Record the video

- Move slowly and smoothly along the route; do not cover the whole space by rotating the phone from one fixed position.
- Do not keep the phone pointed only along the walking direction. Rotate the camera slowly and continuously toward multiple directions, with small upward or downward movements where needed. Never whip the phone or snap to a new direction.
- The current view must retain 50%–70% of the preceding view; target 70% while recording. Use small, continuous changes to reveal a new area instead of skipping intermediate views.
- Observe the same fixed details again from several positions along the route; do not capture disconnected directions from one point.
- Turn in a continuous arc instead of snapping to a new direction.
- Do not pause recording, move to a disconnected area, and continue; start a new capture when the space is not continuous.

Motion blur and excessive compression remove the local detail required by mapping and localization. If fixed edges and textures are not clearly visible, move more slowly or improve the lighting and record again.

## Create a map and upload the video in Portal

1. Open **Spatial Maps** in Portal, enter the target project, and select **+ New Map**.
2. Give the map a recognizable name, then select **Video** as the input type.
3. Under **Upload from**, choose a source:
   - **Cloud (recommended):** upload the original MP4, MOV, or M4V file to a supported cloud drive and create a share link for that file. Select the provider, paste the link, and choose **Download from Cloud**. The server downloads the file directly, which is more reliable for large files and does not keep the browser busy for the full transfer.
   - **Local:** choose the original MP4, MOV, or M4V file from the computer and keep the page open until upload finishes.
4. Wait while Portal finishes the download or upload and parses the video. Do not remove or replace the cloud source during this step.

[![The Spatial Maps New Map interface with Video selected, Cloud as the source, and the Google Drive file-link field visible](/media/docs/spatial-maps-new-map-video-cloud.real-ui.jpg)](/media/docs/spatial-maps-new-map-video-cloud.real-ui.jpg)

> Prefer **Cloud** for large files. The share link must point to one video file and allow the server to read it. Do not use a folder link, a sign-in-only link, or an ordinary preview URL copied from the browser address bar. Available providers depend on the current Portal environment.

## Continue after upload

1. Wait for the map to reach **Parsed**.
2. If the scan did not use accepted Spatial Reference Boards, configure surveyed GCPs in **Map Configurator**; add Tie Points or Scale Bars only where needed.
3. Start the build, then test localization in Space Studio when the map is ready.

Keep the original video and measurement records until the map build and localization validation are complete.